In a renewed effort to tackle youth unemployment and promote self-reliance, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Youth Development, has partnered with Wema Bank and the Research Development and Training Institute (RDTI) to train and empower 100 young Nigerians with essential vocational and digital skills.
The initiative, which took place in Abuja, was part of the second phase of the Skillnovation Training Programme, a youth-focused empowerment scheme designed to foster innovation, job creation, and inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Minister of Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, represented by Chief Obinna Nwaka, Director-General of the Committee on Youth Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), commended the collaboration between the government and private sector partners in driving youth development across the country.
He noted that the four-week intensive programme provided participants with hands-on training in various fields, including digital marketing, hairdressing, make-up artistry, confectionery, and shoemaking. The aim, he said, was to equip participants with practical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and contribute to the nation’s economy.
According to the minister, the Skillnovation Programme aligns with other key youth empowerment schemes under the Ministry, such as the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), Pi-CNG Youth Initiative, and the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF). All of these programmes, he explained, are part of the federal government’s broader agenda to empower young people and promote sustainable development.
“The Ministry remains steadfast in ensuring that Nigerian youths are empowered to contribute meaningfully to national development,” Olawande said. “Programmes like Skillnovation serve as a platform to build creativity, resilience, and productivity among our young population.”
He emphasised that youth empowerment remains a critical component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to equip young Nigerians with the right tools and opportunities to succeed in today’s competitive economy.
The minister urged the participants to make the most of the skills and knowledge they had acquired, adding that the training represented a stepping stone toward entrepreneurship and self-employment. He also commended Dr Chiji Ojukwu, Managing Director of the African Project Development Centre (APDC) Group, for his consistent support for youth development initiatives nationwide.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Kelechi Ugwumba, CYMS Director of Contacts and Mobilisation, and Ms Evelyn, a representative of the Volunteer Group, both stressed the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to enhance youth capacity development. They noted that empowering youths with practical skills would not only reduce unemployment but also foster local innovation, drive economic growth, and inspire entrepreneurship.
The Skillnovation Programme, jointly funded by Wema Bank and supported by the Ministry, is one of the flagship initiatives aimed at bridging the skills gap and promoting digital inclusion across Nigeria. It provides participants with the knowledge and tools to build sustainable businesses, access funding, and explore emerging opportunities in the digital economy.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates and start-up cheques to the successful trainees on behalf of the Minister of Youth Development. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government and its partners for investing in their future and promised to use their new skills to empower others within their communities.
With initiatives like the Skillnovation Training Programme, the Federal Government continues to strengthen its commitment to creating jobs, supporting innovation, and unlocking the vast potential of Nigerian youths for national transformation.
